Sweetwater AUT/CB LE (30)

ilan · October 26, 2020, 12:32:35 AM

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/4003CAUT--rickenbacker-4003-stereo-bass-guitar-autumnglo-with-checkerboard-binding

gearHed289 · October 26, 2020, 08:16:02 AM

Weird that they have it listed as a 4003S with the CB and triangle inlays. It does appear to have a mono output though.

ilan · October 26, 2020, 09:10:29 AM

Stereo or mono, that's definitely a deluxe model. The S designation must be a mistake. I'm also not sure about it being ATG, the bass looks glossy enough to be a WAL. Maybe they called it ATG not to confuse it with current W models.

Paul Boyer · October 26, 2020, 09:40:31 AM

It is we the consumers who have connected the "S" with the down-trimmed, twin-pickup 4000 series bass. The company seems to think of "S" as meaning "special". Or it could just be a simple mistake. No biggie. You should get what you see.

ilan · October 26, 2020, 10:51:48 AM

Rickenbacker has been very consistent with the 4000-Series S designation, from the 4001S through the 4002S, for unbound & dot-inlay models only, haven't they?

morrow · October 26, 2020, 12:58:50 PM

It's weird to call it an S model with binding and inlays . Do the new ones have a single truss rod ?
I'm also really happy whenever they break out the checkerboard binding .

ilan · October 26, 2020, 01:18:59 PM

From what I see they do single truss rods only on models without access to the acorn nuts through a neck pickup rout, i.e. the 4002S or Al Cisneros sig. Paul, am I right?

Dave W · October 26, 2020, 10:52:50 PM

Doesn't look glossy to me. I agree with Tom about the mono output. Whatever the designation, it's very nice.

Paul Boyer · October 27, 2020, 08:42:40 AM

The fact that this particular issue has: 1. Checker binding. 2. A non-standard finish (Autumnglo or whatever). 3. A matte finish. 4. Standard output only. All of those are "special" and they were made for this vendor's special order. So if we accept the fact that the factory uses "S" for special at their discretion, it's an S.

I think they are trying out the dual-action single truss rods and they are perhaps not limited to just the AC or some of the other experimentals. Seems to me we've seen some standard production models with the single rod, but I'm not keeping track. Anyone else know?

ilan · October 28, 2020, 11:58:02 PM

Paul, from what I remember, special models (other than signature) were traditionally designated SPC. The S has always been reserved for down-trimmed basses.

EDIT: Look at the specs, at the bottom - "Manufacturer Part Number: 4003-AUT-CB". And Dave is right about it being matte - "Body Finish: Satin".

Jeff Scott · October 29, 2020, 12:57:10 AM

Quote from: ilan on October 28, 2020, 11:58:02 PM
Paul, from what I remember, special models (other than signature) were traditionally designated SPC. The S has always been reserved for down-trimmed basses.

My Jetglo 4004L is designated 4004L SPC.

Hope this helps.

doombass · October 29, 2020, 04:05:34 AM

Quote from: ilan on October 28, 2020, 11:58:02 PM
EDIT: Look at the specs, at the bottom - "Manufacturer Part Number: 4003-AUT-CB". And Dave is right about it being matte - "Body Finish: Satin".

Also, just below the top headline reading: "Item ID: 4003CAUT". The "S" designation might as well be just an honest mistake by whoever put that page up.

gearHed289 · October 29, 2020, 08:08:40 AM

Quote from: doombass on October 29, 2020, 04:05:34 AMThe "S" designation might as well be just an honest mistake by whoever put that page up.

That's what I'm thinking.

ilan · October 29, 2020, 12:08:59 PM

You can also put in an order for a 4003 SMG/CB - Satin MG with checkerboard.

I think RIC should offer CB as an option, for an upcharge.